YOUTH SPORTS

Bowling helping local kids earn college cash

By Jamie VoisineCorrespondent

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 12:48 a.m.

Most kids spend years perfecting their skills on the diamond, court or field in hopes that one day they will be offered a college scholarship and rewarded a free or discounted higher education for their years of commitment.

Some get the call, but many don't.

Those that don't are left with nothing more than memories.

Local youth bowlers, on the other hand, can profit from the more than $6 million in scholarship aid given out each year across the country to talented rollers — and they don't have to make a college team to do it.

Multitudes of tournaments — most notably the Pepsi Youth Championships — offer young bowlers the opportunity to earn money for school throughout their playing days. For those serious about the sport, thousands of dollars can be earned by the time college rolls around.

Local Marion County United States Bowling Congress (MCUSBC) vice president Robin Sisto knows first-hand the spoils of countless hours spent in the alley at AMF East on Maricamp Road. Her son, Vito, now 20 and enrolled at the College of Central Florida, accumulated more than $10,000 to apply toward his college education by competing in youth tournaments around the state.

“See these kids can get scholarship money everywhere, anytime,” Sisto said. “My son would travel all over Florida and do tournaments and win $500 here and $200 there, so he had over $10,000. He's going into his fourth year of college and I haven't had to pay anything.

“People don't know that this money is out here for these kids,” she added. “And you don't have to be athletic. There are different levels that the kids would have to learn, but we have coaches there to help them.”

Scholarship earnings are tracked and dispersed through the United States Bowling Congress' SMART Program, which ensures funds are used specifically for schooling purposes.

In recent weeks, 25 local bowlers have qualified to compete at the state-level Pepsi tournament in Sunrise during the month of April, where money and a trip to nationals could be awaiting a lucky few.

Jenna Naclerio, who also competes for Belleview High School, qualified for the national tournament last year and is poised to do it again this year, possibly with up-and-comer Rylan Watkins by her side.

“Jenna's got a really good shot,” Sisto said. “She has bowled on the high school team — she's bowled for Belleview for a couple of years — and I've watched her come up since she was little. She's getting very good.

“Rylan Watkins also has a shot at making it,” she added. “He's 14 years old, but he's got the ability so we moved him up with the bigger kids so that he'd have more competition.”

Pepsi nationals will be held July 13-19 in Detroit, where the Youth Open — another potentially lucrative tournament — will also be held.

“Anyone can go,” Sisto said. “You don't have to qualify. It's held in Detroit at the same time (as Pepsi nationals) and has over $200,000 in scholarship money.”

While traveling to tournaments around the country may be a treat for some, competitors don't have to be jet-setters in order to cash in. In addition to awarding one boy and one girl $500 apiece at the end of each year, the MCUSBC also disperses anywhere from $75 to $500 in scholarship funds to its Shooting Stars and Senior Classique division participants at season's end. The state of Florida dishes out another $15,000 each year to bowlers with leadership qualities and is also home to endless tournaments with earning potential throughout the year.

With money to be made and fun to be had, the MCUSBC is still seeking youths of all ages to compete week in and week out at the lanes.

Official registration is held the last two Saturdays in August, but Sisto can be reached Saturday mornings at AMF Galaxy East, 3225 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, in person, or by phone at 694-1111, for any players looking to join sooner.

<p>Most kids spend years perfecting their skills on the diamond, court or field in hopes that one day they will be offered a college scholarship and rewarded a free or discounted higher education for their years of commitment.</p><p>Some get the call, but many don't.</p><p>Those that don't are left with nothing more than memories.</p><p>Local youth bowlers, on the other hand, can profit from the more than $6 million in scholarship aid given out each year across the country to talented rollers — and they don't have to make a college team to do it.</p><p>Multitudes of tournaments — most notably the Pepsi Youth Championships — offer young bowlers the opportunity to earn money for school throughout their playing days. For those serious about the sport, thousands of dollars can be earned by the time college rolls around.</p><p>Local Marion County United States Bowling Congress (MCUSBC) vice president Robin Sisto knows first-hand the spoils of countless hours spent in the alley at AMF East on Maricamp Road. Her son, Vito, now 20 and enrolled at the College of Central Florida, accumulated more than $10,000 to apply toward his college education by competing in youth tournaments around the state.</p><p>“See these kids can get scholarship money everywhere, anytime,” Sisto said. “My son would travel all over Florida and do tournaments and win $500 here and $200 there, so he had over $10,000. He's going into his fourth year of college and I haven't had to pay anything.</p><p>“People don't know that this money is out here for these kids,” she added. “And you don't have to be athletic. There are different levels that the kids would have to learn, but we have coaches there to help them.”</p><p>Scholarship earnings are tracked and dispersed through the United States Bowling Congress' SMART Program, which ensures funds are used specifically for schooling purposes.</p><p>In recent weeks, 25 local bowlers have qualified to compete at the state-level Pepsi tournament in Sunrise during the month of April, where money and a trip to nationals could be awaiting a lucky few.</p><p>Jenna Naclerio, who also competes for Belleview High School, qualified for the national tournament last year and is poised to do it again this year, possibly with up-and-comer Rylan Watkins by her side.</p><p>“Jenna's got a really good shot,” Sisto said. “She has bowled on the high school team — she's bowled for Belleview for a couple of years — and I've watched her come up since she was little. She's getting very good.</p><p>“Rylan Watkins also has a shot at making it,” she added. “He's 14 years old, but he's got the ability so we moved him up with the bigger kids so that he'd have more competition.”</p><p>Other qualifiers include Lyric Hartley, Matthew Jordan, Blake Whetter, Brendon Ness, Christopher Wagner, Simon Wersal, Mallory Ivers, Peyton Gold, Justine Blackmer, Michael Tripp, Bocephas Barron, Justin Duesling, Julia Ramirey, Holly Brill, Kailee Sheehan, Jennifer Tripp, Britteny Prevatte, Jasen Biggins, Derek Gray, Zachary Lopez, Alexis Stewart, Jordyn Manno and Maggie Melim.</p><p>Pepsi nationals will be held July 13-19 in Detroit, where the Youth Open — another potentially lucrative tournament — will also be held.</p><p>“Anyone can go,” Sisto said. “You don't have to qualify. It's held in Detroit at the same time (as Pepsi nationals) and has over $200,000 in scholarship money.”</p><p>While traveling to tournaments around the country may be a treat for some, competitors don't have to be jet-setters in order to cash in. In addition to awarding one boy and one girl $500 apiece at the end of each year, the MCUSBC also disperses anywhere from $75 to $500 in scholarship funds to its Shooting Stars and Senior Classique division participants at season's end. The state of Florida dishes out another $15,000 each year to bowlers with leadership qualities and is also home to endless tournaments with earning potential throughout the year.</p><p>With money to be made and fun to be had, the MCUSBC is still seeking youths of all ages to compete week in and week out at the lanes.</p><p>Official registration is held the last two Saturdays in August, but Sisto can be reached Saturday mornings at AMF Galaxy East, 3225 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, in person, or by phone at 694-1111, for any players looking to join sooner.</p>